However, in response to a query from The Hollywood Reporter, Sony chief executive Kaz Hirai says in a statement: “There is absolutely no truth to rumors that Sony’s Entertainment businesses are for sale. ... Our entertainment companies have a stable business foundation and are poised for future growth. There is no reason to sell these industry-leading businesses, and no consideration is being given to the idea.”

But multiple sources say Sony’s film studio seems to be almost paralyzed at least until the end of its fiscal year (March 31). Deals have been trimmed, and a source on the lot says Tokyo has mandated a “rigorous” reassessment of projects in the pipeline.

THR revealed Oct. 18 that the studio sold half of George Clooney’s upcoming Monuments Men to Fox, and favorite son Adam Sandler has made a deal for his next film, Ridiculous 6, at Paramount.

Any decision on Ghostbusters III, the long-, long-gestating sequel, has been postponed until the end of March -- this after Men in Black 3 writer Etan Cohen was paid a huge sum for a script. Shooting was to begin next summer but now couldn’t start before fall at the earliest.